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25 maj 2011

90 minutes of reasons...

...why I love Ekstraklasa. Yes I know how bad it is. I know exactly how it is because I write about it every week - about hooligans, fans' protests, mistakes of Polish FA, financial problems, bad footballers, clueless managers, ignorant owners and awful referees. But, as is the case with everyone's domestic league, I love it as it is. And last ninety minutes of football in 29th round of Ekstraklasa just made that feeling grow and myself smiling about emotions, thinking about problems in several clubs, managers that will lost their jobs, players that will move one, fans that will hurt or will be happy. That was fantastic ninety minutes of football and let me know prove it.

1 - Games of 29th round start with clubs aiming at different things. Three clubs are involved in relegation battle, Cracovia, Polonia Bytom and Arka Gdynia, all playing at home. In the best position was Arka who was just outside of the relegation zone, Cracovia sitting at the bottom and Polonia at 15th but trio separated by just two points. Meanwhile, at the top there were eight teams fighting for two spots behind Polish champions, Wisła Krakow, to get Europa League football and Legia who was looking for the best possible place. As you see emotions were there, no place for boredom and pressure. Definitely that last was involved as well this Wednesday.

4 - What a start for Widzew Łódź and Śląsk Wrocław. Both teams take the lead in their games and move up in the table. Absolutely sensational form of Wroclaw's team made them go up second when they were close to the bottom after six rounds... Some say that they are old, with no attacking still and styleless. But they are getting results, like that one at Ruch Chorzów. While Widzew was not specyfically looking for European Cups, they want to finish high, maybe look for a place, chance in EL. Ćwielong (Śląsk) and Grzelczak (Widzew) sent their fans in raptures.

25 - Cracovia made great start against Jagiellonia but they are lacking cutting edge. There are chances, Ntibazonkiza is especially active and after getting past four players he is fouled just outside Jaga's box. Mateusz Klich, young midfielder enjoying his first call-up to national team, steps up and sents ball into far corner of Sandomierski's goal. He could do nothing about it, Cracovia is winning but not out of relegation zone. Not yet.

28 - Cracovia waited just three minutes to get news they were waiting for from Gdynia. There, Arka started brightly against Legia in a match that could get them safety. Could but their defensive woes continued and they just stood and watched how Cabral plays in Radović who then passes to Manu as winger nets it giving the lead to Legia. Arka drops to the relegation zone but their players can't hear any booing from stands. Why? Due to fans protest there is only sound of Vuvuzelas heard in Gdynia...

36 - Dream stuff for Cracovia as Lech Poznan, connected with them by years-long friendship, takes the lead in Bytom against Polonia - Krakow's second best team relegation rivals. It's Jakub Wilk who gives Bakero's men the lead with nice drive from twenty yards. Cracovia gets what they want while Polonia's players are staring at the flag prepared by their fans: 'Faith makes miracles, we believe you can do it'.

42 - Playing on a empty stadium in Lubin, Polish Champions Wisła Krakow took the lead against Zagłębie through nice counter attack and easy finish from impressive Andraż Kirm. It's sad view that only proves champions manager, Robert Maaskant, right - he said that it will be like meaningless friendly... Meanwhile in Chorzów Ruch gets one back against Śląsk. They deserve this chance for a draw but are not helped by silent fans. Silent, as everywhere, but this is epic as Ruch's stadium is placed at street named 'Silence'...

45 - Just before the half time, Legia scores again but as important is second yellow card for Arka's midfielder, Siebert who is sent off. Down to ten men, losing two-nil and Arka's manager Frantsisek Straka could be pleased that he has now fifteen minutes to save the day. It's half-time elsewhere, emotions high, fans impatiently waiting for second half. Pressure is there but at least few clubs helped themselves to relive it by getting results right in first forty-five minutes. Big second half coming up...

49 - If Straka did anything good in Arka's dressing room, it's all gone after just four minutes of second half. Legia attacks once again, linking well, given too much space, too much time and Manu is allowed to cross. Just on the penalty spot there is Kucharczyk, unmarked, and his scissor-kick is perfect. 0-3 and it looks like there is nothing to fight for ten-men Arka...

52 - Especially as Cracovia strikes again. They have been impressing in the first half but they were focused and thinking right after the break. It's Mateusz Klich again, takes the ball from Ntibazonkiza moves few yards and passes perfectly to incoming Alexandru Suvorov whose first touch is perfect as he next shoots past Sandomierski. Jagiellonia is sinking, Cracovia is crusing. Mateusz Klich plays the game of his career so far. Perfect timing.

57 - Maor Melikson is tripped inside Zagłębie's box and the best player of Ekstraklasa's spring round converts the penalty to double the lead for Wisła. Stadium is empty but there can be heard chants coming from the outside - where hardcore home fans stand and give their best - if only their players could do the same thing.

60 - Michał Kucharczyk gets his second, young striker's form is getting better with every round, proing national team manager right that he was handed the call up for nearest games. This time it's easy finish but it strikes how easily Arka is outplayed. No belief in that team.

66 - Korona Kielce gets the lead against Górnik Zabrze through penalty scored by Andrzej Niedzielan - this striker has not given up on Golden Boot title yet, as Frankowski fails to score against Cracovie. Meanwhile, Arka gets what it looks like their consolation goal against Legia. It's Szmatiuk, their best defender, who finishes with power from few yards. Fans barely cheer...

68 - ...but then the roar in Gdynia gets bigger as Szmatiuk scores again. Nice move, Labukas covers the ball well, gives it back to defender who nicely finishes from twelve yards out. It's 2-4 and a lot of time but they are one man down... Could it be beginning of the stunning comeback? Could it...

80 - Semir Stilić, who just was sent on the pitch by Jose Mari Bakero, scores what just might be his goodbye with Lech Poznan - he is about to join Borussia Monchengladbach in Bundesliga. Their most skillful player, best playmaker once again is only a sub - there is no chemistry between him and Lech's manager. That means Polonia Bytom is now losing by two goals, fans don't give up, are not protesting anymore, now singing that they will follow their club forever...

85 - There is no stunning comeback. There simply can't be one, not only because Legia is in full control but also because two of Arka's players came off with injuries - horrible clash between them, both broke their noses and all subs are already used. Ariel Borysiuk takes advantage of this, Kucharczyk with assist. 2-5. Game over. No hopes. There is just anger. In Warszawa, where Polonia hosts GKS, goalkeeper Maciej Gliwa is locals' hero as he saves penalty and game for them when he saves Cetnarski's penalty.

87 - Meanwhile, atmosphere at Cracovia is fantastic. Fans gave up with protest and supported their team in most important game of their season. That pays off, Klich against with fantastic assist, over Jaga's defence, this time to Andraż Struna whose finish is even better. 3-0, great moods. But they are not staying up with this win. They need more of that kind of performance.

90 - Polonia Bytom finally scores and it's a beauty... but is it too late? They don't mind as it could be goal of the season for them - Barcik to Vascak who backheels it back to him, then he plays to Radzewicz who unmarked finds the net. Lech is just standing and watching how they play. There is still hope and time. Four minutes of added time. Meanwhile in Lubin, Wisła finishes their rivals through Andre Rios who converts his one-on-one chance. Easy 3-0 for the Champions on the road. But it was like friendly...

Full time. What a day, what a night, what a round. It had drama, beautiful goals, assists, awful tackles, red cards, bad luck, smart moves, referees mistakes and to include everything in one post would be impossible. That is just a hint, just a small (but most important) part of the show that Ekstraklasa produced for the fans. Problems are not gone, protest is still on, fans are not singing, referees are still bad, worries about Polish clubs playing well in Europe are not smaller than they were. But people are focused, fans nervously checking other's scores, looking for updated table, talking about chances, looking forward to Sunday's finish.Personally, I'm buzzing. My team, Śląsk Wrocław, is just one point from making my dream come true - playing in Europe. I, as many other fans, did not believe that we could achieve so much in this season. And while we are well aware of the problems club have with its squad, conflicts between board and current manager, problems within squad, its class... We don't care. Six years ago we were in third division, crowds were just a small part of the 8500 that visit Oporowska every other week. Now we are just three points from finishing second and it's dream stuff. You can see it in fans' eyes, hear it from their talks. We love it.

Next round? What a day it will be. If You haven't watched Ekstraklasa yet, never followed any team, never cared about what happens in Polish league - then it is the right moment to start this journey. It's colorful, it's interesting, it's dark side and controversies. But after day like this one there is no other side than simple the one people should talk about - football. Ups and downs.

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This blog is dedicated to Polish football. From tactics, comments on current events, match reports to profiles of footballers. For years destroyed by corruption, now slowly moving forward, rising from the ashes. From Legia Warsaw to Wisła Krakow, from Śląsk Wroclaw to Lech Poznan. From Polonia Bytom to Termalica Nieciecza. From Robert Lewandowski to Grzegorz Lato. From UEFA to PZPN. It may not be the best (and it is not!) but sure as hell it is interesting, colorful one.